STEVE MCCLELLAN

Articles by Stephen All articles by Stephen

• WPP Demands Court Seal Foster's Sony Probe Details in MAD on 08/21/2026
  

  "The fact that Sony has never publicly disclosed this information, and Plaintiff's refusal to name his source, strongly indicates that he obtained the information by improper means," WPP stated in its motion.

• Xero Taps Argonaut For Global Brand Campaign in MAD on 08/20/2026
  

  Argonaut in collaboration with the client is developing a massive data- and AI-driven global campaign that will include its largest marketing effort to date in the U.S. while also targeting the UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Malaysia, Ireland, and Singapore.

• Noble People Taps UM Alum Stewart To Lead Media Investment in MAD on 08/20/2026
  

  Stewart brings more than 20 years of media investment leadership to the role. Most recently, she has been advising agencies independently on investment strategy, operating model design, and AI workflow integration.

• Publicis Veteran Muller Named CEO At Lucid Group in MAD on 08/19/2026
  

  Most recently, Muller was Group President and Chief Operating Officer of Publicis Health and previously held roles including President of Digitas Health.

• Net Conversion Adds CFO Role, Taps Rodery To Fill It in People on the Move on 08/19/2026
  

• Fuse Create Buys Stake In Sway Group in MAD on 08/19/2026
  

  Under the new ownership structure, Sway Group will continue to operate independently while working with Fuse Create's integrated teams.

• 4As Adds New Product, Innovation Roles To Leadership Team in MAD on 08/18/2026
  

  Both roles are part of 4As CEO Justin Thomas-Copeland's ongoing makeover of the organization, refocusing on developing products that bring greater value to its members.

• Indie Agencies Bastion USA, Buntin Merge in MAD on 08/18/2026
  

  Under the merger, the U.S. business will operate under the BastionBuntin name, establishing Nashville as a key hub for North American operations alongside offices in LA and NY.

• Publicis Sports, Travis Kelce, 3 Arts Sports Form NIL Consultancy in MAD on 08/18/2026
  

  The new venture will provide brands with "end to end" consulting and activation services, which it says will get to market faster than competitors.

• Formula 1 Launches Global Campaign Ahead Of Part 2 Of The 2026 Season in MAD on 08/17/2026
  

  The campaign is anchored by a 90-second film narrated by actor Colin Farrell and featuring all 22 drivers on the circuit.

Comments by Stephen All comments by Stephen

• Interpublic's R/GA Taken Private By Truelink Capital by Steve McClellan (MAD on 03/03/2025)
  

  Good question, Scott. Not disclosed so far. 

• International Advertising Association Establishes North American Chapter by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 03/17/2023)
  

  Michael, the IAA has had a New York chapter but has never had a North America chapter. This will encompass all of the US, Canada and Mexico, according to the group. Thank you for rasing the point as the article should have provided that background. 

• How Much Does Gun Advertising Contribute To All The Killing? by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 06/01/2022)
  

  Steve, here is a link to the NYT story referrenced in the Whitman column. It does not show the videogame type ads described in the piece. It does link to a Daniel Defense ad featuring children. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/28/business/daniel-defense-rifle-texas-shooting-gun.html?searchResultPosition=1

• New Era At Accenture Interactive As Droga Is Poised To Take The Reins by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 08/23/2021)
  

  Oops, thanks for pointing that out John.

• 4A's Creates Agency Review Participation Agreement by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 08/24/2021)
  

  Hi Michael, I think you're right--an effort to make clients aware agencies have major issues with the current process, particularly when the client doesn't retain professional help with the search. No power per se. 

• Agency Review Activity Spikes After Quiet 2020 by Steve McClellan (MAD on 07/09/2021)
  

  Hi Michael, the $544 million figure is a net figure that does take into account losses. No doubt marketers are pressing for lower fees/prices whereever they can find them, with all suppliers. But the spike probably does reflect the fact that marketers put off reviews last year to deal with other more pressing COVID-related issues. 

• Imagine A Pro Sports Team Called The 'New York Jews' by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 07/13/2020)
  

  Ed, I think the hockey team has a claim on the Capitals name there, although St. Louis had both a baseball Cardinals and a football Cardinals for some time. To your broader point, yeah, there are a lot options for non-offensive names. 

• Despite Rumors To The Contrary, Manly Men Drink Rose by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 08/06/2017)
  

  Thanks Nicholas, as editor of this column I should have caught that. Appreciate that you did. 

• Brands Failing To Provide Quality Training In Media Skills by Steve McClellan (MAD on 10/28/2016)
  

  It is J.R., although it's usually not referred to as 'educatiing' and frequently it is people below the c suite. But often agencies meet with clients to 'brief' them on this or that issue. Which makes sense given that the former are supposed to be experts in the field. 

• Agencies React To Finger-Pointing, 4As Calls ANA Report Anonymous, One-Sided by Steve McClellan (MAD on 06/07/2016)
  

  Thanks for catching that Michael, now fixed.

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